While I prefer to think of technology as unaffiliated, politically speaking, that’s apparently no longer true in politics. For instance, Republicans as a national party have invested heavily in Big Data software since 2012, even launching Para Bellum Labs as “a startup company housed in the RNC.” The party operates several conservative-focused Big Data tools, including VoterGravity, which uses mapping software to match volunteer walk lists with targeted voters.

Democrats also have an advantage when it comes to attracting technology talent, the article notes — and as those in the tech sector well know, talent is the real hurdle with Big Data projects. Even private companies struggle to find enough workers in what analysts like McKinsey call “the Big Data talent war."

Data has infiltrated politics in new and unforeseen ways. Heck, there’s even a tool called NationBuilder for the non-partisan organization with political interests, but no budget for Big Data.

Loraine Lawson is a veteran technology reporter and blogger. She currently writes the Integration blog for IT Business Edge, which covers all aspects of integration technology, including data governance and best practices. She has also covered IT/Business Alignment and IT Security for IT Business Edge. Before becoming a freelance writer, Lawson worked at TechRepublic as a site editor and writer, covering mobile, IT management, IT security and other technology trends. Previously, she was a webmaster at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and a newspaper journalist. Follow Lawson at Google+ and on Twitter.